Aeonium plant named ‘Sun Dancer’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Aeonium  plant named ‘Sun Dancer’ is disclosed, characterized by very even, concentric rosettes, comprised of an abundance of green leaves, colored marginally with creamy white, and arranged in an attractive, variegated geometric pattern. Further, the new cultivar ‘Sun Dancer’ freely offsets, enabling increased and faster propagation of the cultivar. In addition, the robust growth, in combination with the freely offsetting characteristic of the new cultivar ‘Sun Dancer’, results in the clusters at an early age, and therefore enhances production intervals. The new variety is an  Aeonium , part of the Crassulaceae complex that includes  Aeonium, Echeveria, Graptopetalum, Sedum  and others.  Aeonium  is a popular genus, typically produced as container plants for the patio or as landscape plants.

Latin name of the genus and species: Aeonium hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘SUN DANCER’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar, Aeonium ‘Sun Dancer’, was found by the inventor, Renee O'Connell, as the result of a crossing made February 2015 as part of a planned breeding program. The seed parent variety is the unpatented proprietary variety referred to as Aeonium ‘K06’. The pollen parent is the unpatented proprietary variety Aeonium ‘KI 10’. Aeonium ‘Sun Dancer’ was selected by the inventor, Renee O Connell, in March 2016 from a group of seedlings resulting from the 2015 crossing, at a commercial greenhouse in Vista, Calif.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Sun Dancer’ was first performed in Vista, Calif., at a commercial greenhouse, by vegetative cuttings in April 2016. ‘Sun Dancer’ has since produced multiple generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SUN DANCER’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SUN DANCER’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SUN DANCER’ as a new and distinct Aeonium cultivar:

-   -   1. Aeonium ‘Sun Dancer’ exhibits a rapid and robust growth rate,         enhancing production rates in a commercial nursery.     -   2. Aeonium ‘Sun Dancer’ offsets prolifically, and in combination         with its fast and robust growth rate, enhances propagation         production in a commercial nursery.     -   3. Aeonium ‘Sun Dancer’ displays multicolored rosettes of lemon         yellow and green, margined with red during certain conditions.     -   4. Aeonium ‘Sun Dancer’, unlike most Aeoniums that are largely         dormant during the hot months, demonstrated rooting and growth         during July and August, allowing for propagation all year round,         whereas most Aeoniums must be treated as seasonal plants in hot         climates.     -   5. Aeonium ‘Sun Dancer’, exhibiting lemon yellow variegation,         and robust growth, is an excellent choice for ready-to-use patio         gardens, in the landscape and for other decorative uses.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SUN DANCER’ are similar to plants of the seed parent in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘SUN DANCER’ differ in the following;

-   -   1. Aeonium ‘Sun Dancer’ produces more offsets than Aeonium         ‘K06’.     -   2. Aeonium ‘Sun Dancer’ exhibits variegation of the rosettes,         not exhibited by Aeonium ‘K06’.     -   3. Aeonium ‘Sun Dancer’ exhibits more resistance to the dormancy         initiated by hot weather than does Aeonium ‘K06’.     -   4. Aeonium ‘Sun Dancer’ grows faster than does Aeonium ‘K06’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SUN DANCER’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘SUN DANCER’ differ in the following;

-   -   1. Aeonium ‘Sun Dancer’ exhibits larger rosettes than Aeonium         ‘KI 10’.     -   2. Aeonium ‘Sun Dancer’ grows at a faster rate than Aeonium ‘KI         10’.     -   3. Aeonium ‘Sun Dancer’ exhibits more resistance to the dormancy         initiated by hot weather than does Aeonium ‘KI 10’.     -   4. Aeonium ‘Sun Dancer’ produces a larger plant than does         Aeonium ‘KI 10’, making it more suitable for the landscape and         in large containers for patio use.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SUN DANCER’ are comparable to the unpatented, commercial variety Aeonium ‘Kiwi’. The two Aeonium varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘SUN DANCER’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ produces smaller rosettes than does Aeonium         ‘Sun Dancer’.     -   2. Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ is not as fast growing as Aeonium ‘Sun         Dancer’.     -   3. Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ does not produce as large a plant as Aeonium         ‘Sun Dancer’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SUN DANCER’ can also be comparable to the unpatented commercial variety Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’. The two Aeonium varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘SUN DANCER’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. Aeonium ‘Sun Dancer’ shows a resistance to the summer         dormancy and can be rooted in full sun during hot months,         whereas Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’ shuts down during this summer period,         closing its rosettes to conserve water.     -   2. Aeonium ‘Sun Dancer’ produces variegated rosettes of lemon         yellow and green, whereas Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’ produces dark         rosettes.     -   3. Aeonium ‘Sun Dancer’ offsets at an early age, whereas Aeonium         ‘Zwartkop’ does not offset until it is larger.     -   4. Aeonium ‘Sun Dancer’ produces a more compact cluster than         does Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical of plant of Aeonium ‘Sun Dancer’ grown in a shade house in Vista, Calif. at a light intensity of approximately 3500 fc.

FIG. 2 illustrates a different plant of similar age growing outdoors in full sun (approximately 9000 foot candles) in Vista, Calif. Age of the plants photographed is approximately 5 months from a rooted cutting.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques. All photographs provided by the breeder.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘Sun Dancer’ plants in a commercial shade house in Vista, Calif. Temperatures ranged from approximately −1° C. to 29° C. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were approximately 3500 fc of light. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Aeonium hybrid ‘SUN DANCER’.

PROPAGATION

-   Type of propagation typically used: Terminal vegetative divisions. -   Time to initiate roots: About 18 days at approximately 24° C. -   Root description: Fibrous, brown, not accurately measured with a     color chart.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: Approximately 4 months. -   Container size of the plant described: 6 inch. -   Growth habit: Upright, caulescent, with a terminal rosette, freely     offsetting from below rosette and between leaves of the rosette to     produce cluster. -   Height: Approximately 14 cm to top of highest leaf Height in cm to     top of inflorescence is unknown as plant has been undergoing     propagation, and has not yet flowered. -   Plant spread: 20 cm. -   Growth rate: Moderately fast. -   Branching characteristics: Freely offsetting. -   Rosettes per plant: Average range 7 to 10.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Rosulate.         -   Average length.—Outer rosette leaf approximately 10 cm.             Inner rosette leaf approx. 2 to 4 cm.         -   Average width.—Outer rosette leaf approximately 3.2 cm.             Inner rosette leaf approx. 1.2 cm.         -   Width at base.—1.0 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Spatulate.         -   Apex.—Mucronate.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Entire. Towards apex fine, irregular sparse             dentation.         -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous.         -   Quantity of leaves per rosette.—Average range 15 to 20.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow 2D, center             and base flushed near Green 137D. Young foliage, under side:             Near RHS Yellow 2D, center and base flushed near Green 137D.             Apex and margin irregularly blotched Red 45D. Mature foliage             upper side: Near RHS Green 138A. Base Yellow-Green 144D.             Apical margin has a thin flush near Red 46D. Mature foliage,             under side: Near RHS Green 138A. Base Yellow-Green 144D.             Apical margin has a thin flush near Red 46D.         -   Venation.—There is no visual appearance of venation.

FLOWER

-   Flowering not observed to date.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Flowering not observed to date.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Fruits and seeds: Plant has not flowered or produced fruits and     seeds to date. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures from approximately −2     to 32° C. -   Disease/pest resistance: Displays the same disease and pest     resistance of any other comparable Aeonium. -   Drought tolerance: Tolerates at least 3 weeks of high temperatures     without supplemental water, showing no serious damage to plant. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Aeonium plant named ‘SUN DANCER’ as herein illustrated and described. 